How to bridge the Leadership gap

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children. – Nelson Mandela

What leadership skills and perspectives are critical for success now and in the future?

Produce great men, and the rest will follow – Walt Whitman

How aligned is today’s leadership strength with what will be the most important skills and perspectives in the future?

Centre for Creative Leadership USA – June 2009 Findings

Seven leadership skills are consistently viewed as most important now and in the future.

Leaders are not adequately prepared for the future. Today’s leadership capacity is insufficient

to meet future leadership requirements.

This is what we call the Leadership GAP.

The question is, how do we bridge this gap

leading employees, – A leader is a dealer in hope, Napoleon

Leaders who have good skills in directing and motivating people know how to interact with staff in ways that motivate them. They delegate to employees effectively, broaden employee opportunities, act with fairness toward direct reports, and hire talented people for their teams

strategic planning,

This skill involves translating vision into realistic business strategies. Managers who are highly competent in this area typically articulate long-term objectives and strategies, develop plans that balance long-term goals with immediate needs, update plans to reflect changing circumstances, and develop plans that contain contingencies for future changes

inspiring commitment,

Managers who recognize and reward employees’ achievements are able to inspire commitment from their subordinates. Such managers publicly praise others for their performance, understand what motivates other people to perform at their best, and provide tangible rewards for significant organizational achievements

managing change,

Skilled leaders have developed effective strategies for facilitating organizational change. Such a manager views change positively, adapts plans as necessary, manages others’ resistance to change, adapts to the changing external pressures facing the organization, and involves others in the design and implementation of change. They display attributes like:

resourcefulness,

being a quick learner

doing whatever it takes.

In conclusion

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams